The chief commissioner of Papua New Guinea's land scandal inquiry says a new system of land-leasing is needed to put traditional landowners in charge of agricultural and other development.

The Commission of Inquiry found widespread abuse and fraud had resulted in huge areas of forest being opened up to timber companies with no plans for development beyond clear-felling the land.

Many of the leases were issued without consent of landowners, who are still waiting for the PNG Government to act on its promise to cancel the flawed Special Agricultural and Business Leases, or SABLs.

Chief commissioner John Numapo says a new enforceable, legislative and policy framework is needed.

"We have recommended in our report that the current SABL set-up be done away with entirely," he said.

"We believe any reforms to the law or process may not satisfactorily remove the loopholes and some of the inadequacies or permissive ambiguities that have currently been used to abuse the SABL process.

"The government should look at setting up a new process that is more user-friendly and the people are comfortable with and they are able to take charge of it."